See A Healthcare Provider
While UTIs arent usually a cause for major concern, if you dont get them treated, they can lead to more serious problems like a kidney infection. If you have a UTI, make an appointment with a healthcare provider as soon as possible. The fastest way to feel better is by taking an antibiotic to kill the bacteria causing your infection.
If going to see a provider in-person is not an option , there are plenty of telehealth services available that will allow you to set up a virtual appointment. Check out GoodRx Care for treatment of UTIs as well as many other medical conditions.
During your appointment, your provider will ask you questions about what symptoms you are experiencing and if you are prone to UTIs. You might be asked to provide a urine sample either in the office you are seen in or at a lab close to you. Lastly, your provider will prescribe you a course of antibiotics to get started on right away.
Some common antibiotics used for treating UTIs include nitrofurantoin , sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim , and ciprofloxacin . Typically, you only need to take them for 3 to 5 days, and most people start to feel relief within the first 2 to 3 days. Antibiotics can cause nausea, stomach upset, and diarrhea for many people. But, taking your dose with food can help lessen nausea and stomach upset, and taking a probiotic supplement like L. acidophilus can help with the diarrhea.
Does Walgreens Sell Over
At Walgreens, you can find options for detecting urinary tract infections and for easing symptoms. UTI test strips can help you detect infections, while urinary pain relief tablets and cranberry pills may help to relieve UTI discomfort or prevent recurring UTIs. Researchers are still looking into the possible benefits of cranberry in fighting infections, but their findings are inconclusive. To learn more about the over-the-counter options available for treating UTI symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Risk Factors For The Uti
Use of contraceptive devices-
Some of the means of contraception, for example, spermicide condoms, cervical caps, can increase the risk of getting a UTI.
Heavy doses of antibiotics-
Using heavy doses of antibiotics for an extended period may harm the good natural bacterias present in the urinary bladder and bowels, which leads to a higher risk.
Female gender-
The Urinary tract infection is more commonly found in females than in males. The reason behind this is the shorter length of the urethra in women as compared to men.
Pregnancy-
If a pregnant woman is suffering from a urinary tract infection, it could be a cause of concern for both the mother and the baby.
Due to the changes in women at the time of pregnancy, there are more chances of bacterias reaching the kidneys.
Diabetes-
If you have diabetes or any history of diabetes, you could be prone to urinary tract infections.
As diabetes lowers the immune powers of the body, making it weak to fight infections. It can also destroy the tiny vessels in the kidneys, directly exposing the kidney to microbes.
Kidney stones-
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia-
It will affect the whole urinary tract and increase the chances of developing urinary tract infections.
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How Do I Know If The Treatment Isnt Working
If the treatment isnt working, your symptoms will stay the same, get worse, or you will develop new symptoms. Call your doctor if you have a fever , chills, lower stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. You should also call your doctor if, after taking medicine for 3 days, you still have a burning feeling when you urinate. If you are pregnant, you should also call your doctor if you have any contractions.
How Long Should I Take Antibiotics
Your doctor will let you know. Typically, for an uncomplicated infection, you’ll take antibiotics for 2 to 3 days. Some people will need to take these medicines for up to 7 to 10 days.
For a complicated infection, you might need to take antibiotics for 14 days or more.
If you still have symptoms after completing antibiotics, a follow-up urine test can show whether the germs are gone. If you still have an infection, you’ll need to take antibiotics for a longer period of time.
If you get UTIs often, you may need a prolonged course of antibiotics. And if sex causes your UTIs, you’ll take a dose of the medicine right before you have sex. You can also take antibiotics whenever you get a new UTI if youâre having symptoms and a positive urine culture.
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Otc Treatments That Can Help Your Uti
Try these at-home treatments while youre waiting to get your antibiotics . And while youre at it, drink as much water as you can. Peeing often will help flush out more of the gunk and hopefully help you feel better a little faster.
Price: $
This is basically like Tylenol or Motrin for your urinary tract. It uses a different active ingredient phenazopyridine hydrochloride but the function is pretty much the same. Itll temporarily numb the tissue around your urinary tract to make the whole situation down there a little more tolerable. You can expect relief in as little as 20 minutes that lasts up to 8 hours.
However, note that this can make your urine reddish-orange tinged and can stain fabric. Also dont take it for more than 2 days.
How Do Health Care Professionals Treat A Bladder Infection
If you have a bladder infection caused by bacteria, a health care professional is likely to prescribe antibiotics. If the diagnosis is not certain, based on your symptoms or lab test results, you may not need antibiotics. Instead, your health care professional will work to find the cause and the best treatment for your symptoms.
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Consider Switching Birth Control Methods If You Have Repeat Bladder Infections
If you have trouble with repeat bladder infections, talk with a health care professional about your birth control. Consider switching to a new form of birth control if you use diaphragms, unlubricated condoms, or spermicide, all of which can increase your chances of developing a bladder infection. Consider using lubricated condoms without spermicide or using a nonspermicidal lubricant.
How Do Dogs Get Utis
According to much research, over 25 percent of pups will suffer from urinary tract infections in their lifetime. There are many different causes of tract infections in dogs, with the primary one being bacterial infections. UTIs in dogs can also be caused by the following
- Kidney failure or kidney disease
- Difficulty urinating
If your pup is displaying any of these symptoms, you should visit a vet immediately. UTIs require prompt over-the-counter treatment.
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Urinary Tract Infection Treatment Products At Walgreens
Urinary tract infections are infections that occur when bacteria enter a persons urethra and infect the urinary tract. UTIs can be painful and uncomfortable and may require medical care. Most UTIs can be treated at home with antibiotics from your healthcare provider, and symptoms may be eased with certain pain-relief products. Walgreens offers options to detect infections and prevent or ease symptoms, such as UTI test strips, urinary pain relief tablets and chewable cranberry tablets.
Urinary Tract Infection Treatment
The typical treatment for a UTI is antibiotics prescribed by your doctor. To diagnose a UTI, your doctor may identify your symptoms and prescribe you the appropriate medication.
In other instances, if your symptoms arent straightforward, or if youve been struggling with recurrent UTIs, your doc may suggest further testing.
More in-depth testing may involve:
- Additional bacteria cultures of a urine sample
- Ultrasound, computerized tomography scan, or magnetic resonance imaging
- Cystoscopy using a camera to look inside your urethra and bladder
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What Are Urinary Antispasmodics
Urinary antispasmodics are the name given to a group of medicines that block the effects of acetylcholine and inhibit involuntary detrusor muscle contractions. The detrusor muscle is found in the wall of the bladder. Urinary antispasmodics are used to treat symptoms of urge incontinence and overactive bladder.
Acetylcholine is the main neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system . The parasympathetic nervous system regulates various organ and gland functions at rest, including digestion, defecation, lacrimation, salivation, and urination.
Acetylcholine acts on two types of receptors nicotinic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors. Some urinary antispasmodics are non-selective, which means they bind to both nicotinic and muscarinic receptors. Others selectively block M3 . Selective antispasmodics cause less drowsiness than non-selective antispasmodics but may cause more constipation, dry mouth, and blurred vision.
Things You Can Do Yourself
To help ease symptoms of a urinary tract infection :
- takeparacetamolup to 4 times a day to reduce pain and a high temperature for people with a UTI, paracetamol is usually recommended over NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or aspirin
- you can give childrenliquid paracetamol
- rest and drink enough fluids so you pass pale urine regularly during the day
- avoid having sex
Some people take cystitis sachets or cranberry drinks and products every day to prevent UTIs from happening, which may help. However, there’s no evidence they help ease symptoms or treat a UTI if the infection has already started.
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Recommendations For Uti Prevention
To prevent urinary tract infection, some research suggests that the following may be helpful:
- Increasing fluid intake: The doctor may recommend increased fluid intake to help flush bacteria out of the urinary system.
- Drinking cranberry juice: Drinking 8 ounces of cranberry juice a day may help prevent recurrent UTIs. People who take blood thinners such as warfarin or are prone to kidney stones should check with a physician before trying this approach.
- Proper hygiene: Regular bathing keeps the genital area bacteria free, and women should wipe front-to-back after using the bathroom so as to avoid introducing bacteria into the urethra.
Which Antibiotic Should Be Used To Treat A Uti
There are multiple types of antibiotics used to treat urinary tract infections . Different treatments may be recommended in different areas of the country based on regional patterns of antibiotic resistance.
Most patients with an uncomplicated UTI will begin treatment without any special diagnostic test, although a urinalysis may be performed by taking a urine sample. In a urinalysis, the chemical components of the urine are determined, and the doctor may look at urine color, clarity, and a view a sample under the microscope. A urine culture may be order, too, but is not always needed to start treatment. A urine culture can define the specific bacteria causing the UTI in more complicated cases or in the case of treatment failure.
Symptoms like burning and stinging while urinating will usually clear up in within one day after starting treatment. Be sure to finish your entire course of medication. If symptoms are still present after 2 to 3 days, contact your healthcare provider.
More extensive diagnostic procedures or imaging tests like an X-ray may be required if you continue to have frequent UTIs.
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What Does It Mean If You Have Recurring Utis
Recurrent urinary tract infections are widespread. One study found that 44% of women who experience acute uncomplicated cystitis will have a recurrence later that year, usually within three months from the initial episode. Most providers define recurrent UTIs as two or more infections in six months or three episodes or more over a year .
Recurrent UTIs usually do not indicate a failure of the first treatment, though the same strain of germs may have reinfected you. If your last infection happened recently, your healthcare provider might ask for a urine culture to see if the drug was active. A UTI is considered a relapse of the same infection if the recurrence happens within two weeks of a previous episode .
When Should I Call My Healthcare Provider
If you have any of these symptoms, or your other symptoms continue after treatment, call your healthcare provider. A UTI can spread throughout your urinary tract and into other parts of your body. However, treatment is very effective and can quickly relieve your symptoms.
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What Should I Know About Storage And Disposal Of This Medication
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture .
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDAâs Safe Disposal of Medicines website for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location â one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.
When To See A Doctor For A Uti
See your primary care physician when you experience symptoms of UTIs. UTIs are treatable with prescription antibiotics. Your doctor can determine if you have a UTI by performing one or more of the following:
- Medical history review
- Physical examination
- Urinalysis a urine sample is collected and analyzed in lab tests
For UTIs that keeps returning despite antibiotics, your doctor may perform other tests to examine the structure of the urinary tract:
- Cystoscopy a thin tube with a viewing device is placed through the urethra to perform an internal examination.
- Kidney and bladder ultrasound these use sound waves to produce images of the bladder and kidneys. This test can be used to check for kidney stones, blockages or a tumor.
- Intravenous pyelogram this refers to X-rays of the ureters, bladder, and kidney with the aid of a contrast dye. This test can reveal tumors, kidney stones, or blockages.
The following conditions are related to UTIs:
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Antibiotic Warnings And Treatment Concerns
The most commonly prescribed antibiotics for uncomplicated UTIs are similar in efficacy. But its important to note that ampicillin, amoxicillin, and sulfonamides are no longer the drugs of choice for combatting UTIs because of the emergence of antibiotic resistance. In addition, amoxicillin and clavulanate has been shown in previous research to be significantly less effective than others when it comes to treating urinary tract infections.
Also, as noted above, the FDA advises against using fluoroquinolones for uncomplicated UTIs. These medicines should only be considered if no other treatment options are available. In some cases, such as a complicated UTI or kidney infection, a healthcare provider may decide that a fluoroquinolone medicine is the best option, notes the American Academy of Family Physicians.
For pregnant women, some common antibiotics, such as fluoroquinolones and tetracyclines, should not be prescribed because of possible toxic effects on the fetus. But oral nitrofurantoin and cephalexin are considered good antibiotic choices for pregnant women with asymptomatic bacteriuria and acute cystitis, according to past research.
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What Is The Prognosis For A Person With A Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary tract infections typically respond very well to treatment. A UTI can be uncomfortable before you start treatment, but once your healthcare provider identifies the type of bacteria and prescribes the right antibiotic medication, your symptoms should improve quickly. Its important to keep taking your medication for the entire amount of time your healthcare provider prescribed. If you have frequent UTIs or if your symptoms arent improving, your provider may test to see if its an antibiotic-resistant infection. These are more complicated infections to treat and may require intravenous antibiotics or alternative treatments.
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What About Antibiotic Resistance
Resistance rates for antibiotics are always variable based on local patterns in the community and specific risk factors for patients, such as recent antibiotic use, hospital stay or travel. If you have taken an antibiotic in the last 3 months or traveled internationally, be sure to tell your doctor.
High rates of antibiotic resistance are being seen with both ampicillin and amoxicillin for cystitis , although amoxicillin/clavulanate may still be an option. Other oral treatments with reported increasing rates of resistance include sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim and the fluoroquinolones. Resistance rates for the oral cephalosporins and amoxicillin/clavulanate are still usually less than 10 percent.
Always finish taking your entire course of antibiotic unless your doctor tells you to stop. Keep taking your antibiotic even if you feel better and you think you donât need your antibiotic anymore.
If you stop your treatment early, your infection may return quickly and you can develop resistance to the antibiotic you were using previously. Your antibiotic may not work as well the next time you use it.
Wipe From Front To Back
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases , UTIs can develop when bacteria from the rectum or feces gain access to the urethra. This small channel allows urine to flow out of the body.
Once bacteria are in the urethra, they can travel up into other urinary tract organs, where they can lead to infections.
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Manufacturers Respond To The Fda
The FDA received at least three responses to its list ofphenazopyridine questions within a 6-month period. The ConsumerHealthcare Products Association asked the FDA to reviewphenazopyridine, but completely sidestepped the issue ofcarcinogenicity.11 A submission from PolymedicaPharmaceuticals asserted that urinarydiscomfort should be self-treatable, and further argued against warningpatients on product labels that they may need a concomitantantibacterial.12 Polymedica also claimed that phenazopyridinedosages of 190 to 195 mg are safe and effective, but did not submitclinical dosage studies to support its assertions. Polymedica arguedagainst including any carcinogenesis statement. In short, the submissionwas entirely laudatory about phenazopyridine, although it did notreport newly conducted clinical studies, as would have been required bythe FDA to establish safety and efficacy.
A brief submission from Johnson & Johnson made essentially the same arguments as Polymedica, denying theneed for carcinogenicity labeling.13 This submission also failed to include new clinical studies providing evidence of safety and efficacy.